Press Room
January 30, 2007
German Version
Innovation Award for Cognis’ Emgard – a new generation of transmission lubricants
In recognition of the success of Emgard, the team that developed the new generation of synthetic transmission lubricants has received the internal Innovation Award 2006 from global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis. Established in 2006 by working closely with its customer, the Synlubes team developed the first commercial truck manual transmission fluid that meets the latest specification of major transmission manufacturer Eaton. It offers enhanced protection for the transmission, longer maintenance intervals, and superior performance in all weather conditions.
Emgard is a range of fully-synthetic high performance lubricants for both heavy-duty driveline and industrial applications. It offers truck component manufacturers various types of custom-designed, ready-to-use high performance synthetic lubricants for medium and heavy-duty trucks. Keeping in mind the company’s philosophy of developing sustainable, environmentally sound products, the team spent a lot of time optimizing additives formulations to extend gear and bearing component life in commercial vehicle transmissions as much as possible, while also reducing gearbox temperature reduction and improving fuel economy. The final formulation was subjected to a demanding program of laboratory tests before being accepted for field trials, conducted in over 60 different commercial vehicles. Using the new synthetic transmission lube from Cognis now enables Eaton to offer their customers a five year/750,000 mile warranty.
Meeting the latest environmental and industrial standards
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated tightened emission standards effective January 2007. This change caused truck engine redesigns, which lowered fuel economy. Cognis’ innovation improves fuel economy and at the same time helps the trucking industry meet the demands of the new EPA standard. The products are currently rebranded by all major lubricant suppliers, and meet their strict quality and performance standards (far outstripping ISO 9000/9002 and TS-16949).
Jim Casey, Marketing Director Compounded Products and member from the winning team, comments: “By using our new transmission fluid, our customers in the trucking and transmission manufacturing industry can improve their performance, while meeting and exceeding legal restrictions. Since its introduction in April 2006, every major truck builder in North America has adopted the new technology, which offers improved protection based on sustainable and environmentally-sound raw materials.”
The Cognis Innovation Award
First held in 2001, the aim of the annual Cognis Innovation Award is to encourage creativity and original thinking among Cognis employees. The award is open to all employees who contribute to innovative solutions for new products, processes, marketing approaches or other improvements. Entries are judged on the degree of innovation and their success in the markets, as well as the potential competitive benefits for Cognis’ customers. Another criterion is how well they correspond with Cognis’ strategy of developing sustainable, environmentally sound solutions. In 2006, three teams received the award.
About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The company holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2005, Cognis recorded sales of 3.18 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 356 million euros.
Contact
Raquel Ark, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-2173-4995-464
E-mail: raquel.ark@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com